Each year you may want to consider putting the following items in your storm shelter:

Fresh pillows, sheets and blankets on the bed
A bed — or two
Folding lawn chairs
New batteries for flashlights and radios
Two or three working flashlights
A portable “weather” radio tuned to the National Weather Service or to your favorite local radio station that gives frequent updates when severe weather occurs
A portable television — so you don’t have to keep running upstairs to check the radar to see where the storms are tracking
A kerosene lantern
Extra lamp oil
A box of wooden matches
A couple of packs of cards
Some games
Dog beds
Fresh water
A car jack for pushing open the shelter door if a tree or some other large object falls on it
A heavy chain that attaches securely to both the door and a bolt in the floor of the shelter — remember that first scene in Twister?

A powerful tornado acts like a giant vacuum cleaner. I have heard of them literally sucking the plumbing out of the ground. It’s a good idea to take precautions.

Install an Underground Tornado Shelter and Keep it Ready.

Also, don’t put a lock on your storm cellar.

It’s neighborly to allow others to come and join you or to use your shelter even when you are out of town.

You want to allow anyone driving down the road to be able to take cover if they need shelter.

Consider yourself as one entertaining angels unawares.

Be Ready to Get Downstairs Fast

When severe weather strikes, it often happens quickly.

Don’t hesitate to run down there quickly.

Teach your children and your pets how to get into the shelter quickly.